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Organised crime expert puts Mafia life under the microscope

22/02/2018

An Oxford University criminology expert who went behind the scenes with Mafia gangs will share his experiences during a guest lecture at the University of Wolverhampton.

Professor Federico Varese used wiretapped conversations and unpublished police recordings for his latest book, Mafia Life: Love, Death and Making Money at the Heart of Organised Crime. 

He will present a free guest lecture at the University of Wolverhampton’s City Campus on Monday, 5 March 2018 from 1-2pm. The lecture will be in MA030 in the Wulfruna Building and is open to the public.

Professor George Kassimeris, Chair of Security Studies, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming renowned expert Professor Federico Varese from the University of Oxford to share his expert insights on mafias.

“His book, Mafia Life, takes us into the real world of organised crime, where assassinations are bungled as often as they come off, and increasing pressure from law enforcement means that a life of crime is no longer lived in the lap of luxury.

“In the book he travels from mafia initiation ceremonies in far-flung Russian cities to elite gambling clubs in downtown Macau in search of answers. Using wiretapped conversations, interviews and previously unpublished police records, he builds up a picture of the real men and women caught up in mafia life, showing their loves and fears, ambitions and disappointments, as well as their crimes.”

Federico Varese is Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford. He is also the author of Mafias on the Move: How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories. His latest book, Mafia Life, is published by Profile Books.

*Signed copies of the speaker's new book will be on sale after the event for the discounted price of £9. Please bring correct change.  

Further information

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: Thursday, 22 February 2018

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